Behind the scenes of the Sun Bowl: El Paso brushes up for its showcase

Brothers Adrian Velez, right, and Jose Enriquez set up shop selling their family Sun Bowl shirts at the corner of Sun Bowl Drive and Mesa Wednesday. "Started off as a family shirt designed by my brother and then friends started asking for them. We're not looking to turn profit, we just think it will be fun to have a bunch of people there wearing the shirt to support Notre Dame. There are about thirty of us going together. I can't wait to have some fun," Velez said.

Preparations at the city's convention center, restaurants and hotels are well under way to showcase El Paso to more than 12,000 visitors in town for Friday's Hyundai Sun Bowl.

About 10,000 people are expected at today's Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta at the convention center in Downtown El Paso. The fiesta, which will begin at 4 p.m., will feature the Miami and Notre Dame bands and cheer squads, vendors from El Paso restaurants and a fireworks display at 8 p.m.

Bill Blaziek, general manager of the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau, said planning for the Fan Fiesta takes place year-round. The event will draw El Pasoans as well as bowl game visitors.

"It's the most exciting week in our year, largely because we're able to dispatch new ambassadors for El Paso," Blaziek said.

Veronica Castro, director of tourism for the visitors bureau, said she hopes El Pasoans will show off the good hospitality they've become famous for.

"Every year we hear great stories about the visitors who come to El Paso and experience hospitality everywhere," Castro said. "The whole city comes out as one entity and welcomes them."

Preparations were also under way late Wednesday for today's team luncheon at the convention center, an event expected to draw about 1,200 people. The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. The cost for individuals is $50, and the cost for corporate tables starts at $400.

"People can meet the coaches, the CBS cadre and the players themselves," Blaziek said.

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Restaurant owners and hotel managers also are making preparations for the arrival of out-of-town visitors, most of whom are expected to arrive today.

Joe Frandina, president of the El Paso Hotel-Motel Association, said hotels closest to the Sun Bowl and in the Downtown are faring the best, as are hotels near El Paso International Airport that are housing groups from both teams, including players and coaches.

"As you get further away, it looks like all of them (hotels) have rooms, and have seen maybe a little bit of an increase over previous years," Frandina said.

One reason hotel rooms are still available, Frandina said, is that the number of hotels has increased during the past two years.

"There's about 600 more rooms than in the last couple of years," Frandina said.

Restaurants all over El Paso are also getting into the Sun Bowl spirit, said Poncho Diaz, president of the El Paso Restaurant Association and owner of Mulligan's North, 10710 Gateway North.

"It's been a great Christmas holiday and we've done well overall," Diaz said. "With the Sun Bowl coming through, it's even better. It's the icing on the cake."

Jim Fynquist, co-owner of the Cincinnati Club, 207 Cincinnati near Sun Bowl Stadium, said he's also seen a "record week" at the bar and grill.

"We're expecting a really big record Friday," Fynquist said. "We haven't really seen too many out-of-towners yet. They usually come in a day or two before. Since it is sold out and it'll be on TV, we're expecting a lot of people to come in just to watch the game."

Downtown businesses also are expected to see a boost in revenue because of today's luncheon, the Fan Fiesta, and Notre Dame's block party in Union Plaza later in the evening. The Fan Fiesta is free and open to the public.

"The Fan Fiesta is always a great event for everybody," said Mike Breitinger of the Central Business Association.

The block party will begin at 8:30 p.m., immediately after the Fan Fiesta, at the Union Plaza Downtown Entertainment District's bars, including 1914 Lounge, Black Pearl, Commonwealth, Republic, The Plum, The Garden and Union Drinkery. Sections of Durango, San Antonio and Western streets will be fenced in for the event. The cost is $10.

Breitinger said maps and guides listing several Downtown businesses will be available at the convention center and through Homegrown El Paso to direct visitors to stores, restaurants and other attractions.

"People can go shopping, get a cup of coffee, go to restaurants, museums and exhibits. All of that information will be available to them," Breitinger said.

City officials also made sure banners boasting El Paso's status as the 2010 All-American City were installed throughout Downtown and near the airport in time for the Sun Bowl.

"As soon as we got the award, we wanted to put them up as soon as we could," said Leila Melendez, executive assistant to City Manager Joyce Wilson. "We really wanted to make sure they were up (in time for the Sun Bowl) so that they could see the magnitude of the award."

Melendez said the banners will stay up long after the Sun Bowl game ends.

Adriana M. Chávez may be reached at achavez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6117.